The recommendation to file plunder charges against several former military officers for the misuse of P2.3 billion in public funds is still pending in the Office of the Ombudsman, which has jurisdiction over the prosecution of graft and plunder cases in the Sandiganbayan.

A Department of Justice (DOJ) panel made the recommendation in January 2012, based on the complaint filed by Lt. Col. George Rabusa, a former military budget officer who hogged the headlines in 2011 for his revelations on the military practice of giving retiring senior officers with multimillion-peso “pabaon” (sendoff gift).

Rabusa’s “grandiose illustration of the ‘rampant irregularities in the AFP relative to the malversation, misuse and misappropriation of its funds appears to have a semblance of truth,” the DOJ panel said.

In his complaint filed in the DOJ in April 2011, Rabusa cited personal knowledge of irregularities by members of the so-called “comptrollership mafia.”

He served as budget officer of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (ODCS) for Intelligence or J2 from 1994 to 1998, and of the ODCS for Comptrollership or J6 from 2000 to 2002.

Conversion

Rabusa said key AFP officials colluded to carry out a scheme of converting commercial vouchers into cash for unofficial expenditures; incorporating discretionary funds into the military budget; and converting military funds through procurement offices.

Rabusa’s disclosure stemmed from his testimony in a January 2011 Senate blue ribbon inquiry into the controversial plea bargain deal between special prosecutors and ex-comptroller Garcia for the latter’s plunder case.

In the inquiry, Rabusa said that he had pocketed money and that he had helped his former boss, Garcia, “convert” almost P1 billion from 2001 to 2002 for distribution to ranking officers and other recipients outside the AFP.

Rabusa also claimed that when Gen. Angelo Reyes retired as AFP chief of staff in 2001, he received a total of P150 million in military funds.

Rabusa also claimed that by the time Villanueva and Cimatu retired the two took home a total of P227.4 million and P110 million, respectively. Former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu also benefited from spurious transactions, according to Rabusa.

Reyes denied the allegations against him and filed graft charges against Rabusa in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Denial

Appearing before the Senate inquiry, Cimatu denied Rabusa’s claims, saying his only pabaon were the 40 medals and citations he received in his 37-year military career.

In a statement, Villanueva described Rabusa’s allegations as “mind-boggling,” adding that he only got a “modest retirement pay” when he stepped down from office.

At the height of the controversy, Reyes committed suicide on Feb. 8, 2011.

Ligots’ unexplained assets

In a succeeding hearing, Rabusa said senior officers had a slush fund of P20 million for their personal and operational use. The fund was replenished by allocations skimmed off the salaries and operational expenses of military units.

Also brought up in the inquiry were the unexplained assets of Ligot and his wife, Erlinda, in the country and in the United States.

The Senate hearings prompted the Bureau of Internal Revenue to file multimillion-peso tax evasion complaints against Garcia and Ligot, and their wives, in March 2011.

For his complaint, Rabusa named 22 respondents and presented to the DOJ over 20 folders containing pieces of evidence, such as receipts, checks and various documents to prove how military funds were misused. He described his case as “airtight.”

Also absolved were Col. Robert Arevalo and former state auditors Arturo Besana, Crisanto Gabriel and Manuel Warren.

Challenging the panel’s recommendations, Cimatu’s camp said that Rabusa’s complaint was based mainly on spurious documents and that it was his cohorts and him who misused military funds.

Following his exoneration, Besana filed a plunder complaint against Rabusa in the Office of the Ombudsman, citing Rabusa’s own admission that he committed various offenses involving “billions of pesos.”—Inquirer Research

Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

citizenH

What’s new? Here we go again. It’s like deja vu.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FPVUYCML46QCAJM5N2O4GNID24 tony

Yeah right – what is the status of these cases? Pinoys are notorious for initiating investigations but never fully complete & resolved them. No wonder we’ve been labeled JUAN TAMAD! Puro dasal pero kulang sa gawa!

Thanks of them to country has to face China naked, firing squad is still to sweet to put in danger one hundred million Pinoy’s

In the Philippines grave abuses and high flight greed should have a price !

It’s the only way to stop corruptions and be respected !

This scandal is explaining by is own why Dignity and respect are a non existent notion.

This country is traditionally run by gangsters, a highly criminal system.

An open secret destroying the country and peoples with Dynasties and Trapos.

DURA LEX SED LEX should be strictly applied !

The question is the Honor of one hundred millions peoples, no jokes !

boypalaban

yes to Liberia style of execution of corrupt officials!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UYCOAGIL35OAIRH2T6QH3IZUMY Ike

Sadly, this issue died down with Gen Reyes when he commited suicide out of kahihiyan. Me natira pa kasing delicadeza si Gen Reyes. Itong matitigas ang mukha tulad nila Ligot, they will just ignore it and wave the storm until makalimutan na ng tao at mapatungan na ng ibang issue.

AlexanderAmproz

Angie Reyes was the primus “traitor inter pares”,
a coward to his last breath and got a Hero funerals.

Business as usual for a Dignity and respect free slaves country !

No need to explain why the country is in limbo with starving children’s at every streets corners !

I’m not saying that Gen Reyes is a saint nor his hands are clean. Fact is he is one of the benefactor of the pabaon system. But it is a system that he inherited and is already tradition(of corruption), that has a blessing from Malacanang. Had he decided to change it, magagalit yun mga Henerales na kasama nya and after he retired they would revert back to the tradition again though I doubt that he had ever thought of eradicating it in the first place.

But compared to Gen Ligot, Gen Garcia and the likes, kahit papaano me natira pa siyang kahihiyan which drives him to commit suicide when quized by the Senate. Kung meron din sanang kahihiyang natitira pa kila Ligot and Garcia dapat nag-suicide na rin sila pero talagang dinaan na nila sa patigasan ng mukha as if they had done nothing wrong and you are the one owe them a lunch.

AlexanderAmproz

I myself will never accept any kind of stollen money,
a basic self respect and dignity.
The country lives are in the Generals hands,
they have to be more exemplary than anybody else.

In history of political campaign, seldom would you see a rival hitch hiking with is opponent. But I am not ashame what I did. I can not match the wealth and power of those who run for Mayor, but I have to do what hes to be done. I will fight for the welfare of Q.C. residence who are made to pay a back breaking illegal tax. My complaint against illegal tax collection is in the Office of the Ombudsman since 2009.

I’m an old man of 72. Life for me is so generous for giving me so many experiences. Here is my credential below.

Henry E. Samonte’s Biodata:
1. at age 17, I worked as Landscaper Supervisor in PHHC, which is now the National Housing Authority. I got scared that I may not finished Agriculture on my first year, 1st semester in UP Los Banos because half of my classmate did not make it through the second semester, so I quit and took a job.
2. After earning a BS in Agriculture in 1961 I became a travelling salesman of “Royal Genato Food Corporation. We sell Frankfurters, Vienna Sausage, Suriso de Bilbao, Mango juice, Mango halfs, Mango Concentrates, ham and beacon, and etc. We traveled all the way to Aparri selling our wares.
3. I became an Advertising Solicitor with former Examiner Magazine Newsweekly. My job is to go to big companies to solicit advertisement to our magazine.
4. Then I became a Rural Agriculturist under the Bureau of Agricultural Extension, and was assigned in Bantog, Talavera, Nueva Ecija for a year. It was 1963.
5. Sometime in 1964, I passed entrance exam as trainee in Philippine Airline Aviation School batch 1964. Out of approximately 5 thousand applicant, there were just 25 of us who were accepted as Pilot trainee. Then only 20 of us became regular pilots.
6. During the Pilot strike of 1970, I transferred to Air Manila International up to 1974.
7. I transferred again to Philippine Aerotransport and Development Corporation, a semi government charter cargo business which flies all over the globe. I flew the C-130 military cargo airplane. I got my initial training in Marietta, Georgia, USA in Lockheed Corporation. Marietta is a Southern State and the Capital of Georgia is Atlanta, a territory of the Confederates during the Civil war.
8. In 1977, I flew as Cargo pilot for Congressman Roquito Ablan of Ilocos Norte.
9. In 1978 I went back to Philippine Airlines.I retired as pilot of the biggest jet at that time, the famous B-747-400.
10. In 1989, I joined the pilot labor strike against Lucio Tan. He he he. Who can defeat someone with a name Lucio for Lucifer and Tan for Satan. HE he he. Talo kami! And finally I officially retired in 2000. I can still fly up to 65, but I just feel fed up when ever I hear the sound of an airplane’s engines. I could have earned additional substantial amount of money, but what if I die right away? I would not have enjoyed the company of my family.
11. In 2001, I established a lending Investors. The business did not last because there are more defaults than those who were able to pay their dues.
12. In 2002 I opened up an Aluminum, Glass, and Iron fabrication. Again I closed up because my laborers were so dishonest.
13. Then, I trade truck loads of Charcoals from Infanta Quezon, but again I was booted out by my buying agent and my salesman. They joint together and operated their own business which just lasted with with one deal. My former Salesman run away with the money. He he he.
14. I opened up a 13 room dorm in Sampaloc, Manila. which is still operating.
15. Have a Barbershop and Beauty parlor here in Barangay Roxas and it is still operating.
16. one passenger jeep
17. one brand new taxi unit
18. I’ve several cattle in Talisay, Cebu.
19. I have two small fishing boats in Matalum, Southern Leyte.
20. He he he. now I’m running as Independent Mayor Candidate against Mayor Herbert Bautista.
If I win as a Mayor, I will break the record of having 20 different careers which I have lited above. No one in his life time can ever match my experience on what I have gone through. I also have traveled all over the world countless times as a pilot. I stayed in 5 star hotels, and ate the exotic foods money can buy. There was a time when we were treated to a Chinese Laureate with 32 courses in Beijing China at the time Ambassador Rumaldez was assigned to China.. He heh e. He He .
I’m fed up with the unilateral increases of taxes here in Q.C. which is the reason why I running as Independent Candidate I have no financial resources to match that of Mayor Herbert Bautista, but, as the saying goes, “There are many ways to kill a cat.” and I will fight. Winning is not my problem, it is the voters problem if they want an honest “brand new” candidate, then I am one.

Youtube/henry samonte/upload video

When I say I am poor, it is because I am with the company of super rich people. Congresswoman Surano is known to be one of the wealthiest woman in Dist. 2, Q.C. Mike Defensor is former DENR Usec. a close associate of Former President Arroyo. And former Mayor Mel Mathay. Alam naman ninyo. These people are super rich. The reason I walk (at age 69) in the last May 2010 election was to meet the voters in the depress area and evaluate their problems. Had I won in 2010, instead of treating the marginalized poor like animals, the way they were driven away from their place, I would have contructed a high rise condos. for them. Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong, in Europe, their government do not treat their citizen that way. Maabuti pa ang aso, it is protected by law, ang mga squatters natin, masahol pa sa hayop ang trato ni Bistek. Worst, Mayor Herbert Bautista together with the Councilors are not around in time of demolistion. They should know that without these poor people, thwy would not have been elected. Hayop! he he he.

divictes

If ever, take consolation from Vincent…”this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you…” In your case, the political world.

Why not do a lifestyle check on each and everyone of them……. Miss Secretary of Justice……

$20926843

This present inconsequential Regime together with its inutile and autistic president has a selective sense of justice. These cases are put in limbo because it has not much political impact unlike the persecution of the previous ex-president. Besides, pursuing these cases against these retired military generals and putting them behind bars at this point is froth with danger as it may ignite a docile military establishment into action.

The action Reyes took says it all…Rabusa could never say what he said against so many powerful High Ranking Military Officers if he did not have the goods. The Philippines is coward to make the chips fall…Please apply and make the rules followed to the “T” to end corruption!!!

wazgoingon

Behind almost every anomaly is a military or police officer. They either act as protectors or doers of illegal acts such as illegal logging, smuggling, carnapping, drug distribution, etc. Yet, they are treated like sacred cows. A case in point is – fund misuse of the proceeds of the sale of Fort Bonifacio, wherein the proceeds should have gone to the modernization of the armed forces. Have the former President Tabako and JDV ever been asked about this? What ever happened to the firearms and ammo seized from the Ampatuans, which initial reports show came from the Armed Forces? What has Gazmin done about this? Kung tuwid na daan ang gugustuhin, tuwirin lahat. Hindi yong namimili lang.

johnlordphilip

Unless the military and police are FREE of CORRUPTION, there will never be FORCE for the judiciary to run after the corrupt agencies in government!

ApoLapullapu

How can the Ombudsman file the case before the Sandiganbayan when there is no proof that the accused indeed received the money. What if Garcia pocketed everything that he instructed Rabusa to get from the bank? Rabusa said that he was told the money was to be given to the retiring Generals. But he does not have a direct knowledge showing that the Generals received the money.

http://www.facebook.com/gerry.mendez.923 Gerry Mendez

do you really believe that garcia did it alone by himself? disburesement in the government are all documented. I believe the delay is cause by lack of political will to prosecute.

ApoLapullapu

The incumbent Ombudsman was handpicked by the President for the purpose of prosecuting all the corrupt people in government. But she cannot file the information against the retired Generals on the mere say so of Rabusa. There must be a corroborative testimony or a piece of document to prove that they in fact received the money. Rabusa said that he was instructed by General Garcia to get cash to be given to the retired Generals as pabaon. If he gave the money to Garcia, then it is possible that Garcia pocketed the money. Or if he did not, then it must be he himself who pocketed the money if he cannot present receipts for the alleged payees. Let everyone bear in mind that Rabusa give his testimony as a State witness also to protect himself from prosecution.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DYXSBRILSDYIRWUSCWGYADFH5I Bubbles

only one thing is clear in all of these accusations: BILLIONS OF PESOS OF PEOPLE’S MONEY WERE POCKETED BY THESE CORRUPT MILITARY GENERALS/OFFICIALS. kaya, galaw-galaw naman dyan Ombudsman/DOJ and Mr. President, ipakita ulit ang galing at bilis katulad nung paglitis kay former CJ Corona.

Rovingmoron

Rabusa has turned himself up to become a state witness to juggling and misuse of AFP funds. Can you still sue a state witness for that matter?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WIWYLFLU4LPKS7B2ZLLRVFKS3Y vir_a

It’s easy to accuse an official before the Senate and media because in these forum they don’t follow the rules on evidence. They even entertain and accept stolen evidence as in the case of CJ Corona. The best place to prove Rabusa’s accusation is the court. Let him testify there and present his evidence. If he cannot prove his case, he should be prosecuted.

julieboy

YUP! I have the same question,whatever happened to all the circus in the military and the grandstanding of the senators on the investigation and even the suicide by a General.It looks like its dying a natural death..All these cases has to have a resolution sooner or later considering everyone is hoping the justice system is in the process of an overhaul.O baka lusot nanaman ito and back to normal operating procedure nanaman.I hope not.

koolkid_inthehouse

Nothing will really happen. Passing fancy.
Filipinos just might as well say goodbye to your money.

From the senate, congress, PNP, AFP they totally screwed us.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NPV7TOHIJPG3UMTLQDTHLQJR7Y Jack

those involved have pledge allegiance to CIC so case dismissed

tugakbatan

Only Angelo Reyes was bothered by his concience. All others, WALANG KONSIYENSA.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Klein-Mo/1764894963 Klein Mo

My opinion is that Reyes did it (suicide) to spare his family from investigations and make sure that they die millionaires and not because he was bothered by his conscience.

AlexanderAmproz

No doubt about it, he wanted to keep the loot by hook or by crook !

http://profile.yahoo.com/AND7MQ5FERICDOIAUW56RYT45A tower_of_power

Reyes was pressured by the QUEEN para tumahimik na lahat!!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/KGP2T32B4FOALC5YW7CDCWLB6A Gelo L

At the Philippine Military Academy, they were trained not to have a conscience…plus they were trained about legal maneuverings in order to delay judicial proceedings if ever they will get caught stealing peoples money….

AFP is really incompetent. In 2 days of fighting between ASG and MNLF, the ASG sustained casualties more than their fight against the AFP in 5 years. Pathetic. The MNLF has no artillery and attack helicopters employed by the AFP

If Sandiganbayan will delay the cases of these SCALAWAGS, they will have a chance to dispose their assets. Nobody made a move to do a lifestyle check on these scalawags? What about their bank accounts? The fishponds they own? The beaches they own, the ricefields they own?
I think it is also designed to let them liquidate their assets. tsk, tsk, tsk!

Legally Black

I can’t see any concrete action from Morales. What I saw in the news are dismissed cases against GMA and cohorts. Wake up Morales! Make my day!

http://profile.yahoo.com/CAWLT6SE3IC36RTDVRUIDWO364 Dag Erickson

With the loose money floating around the senate, the Philippine government has a lot of money to staff more people in the office of the OMBUDSMAN AND SANDIGANBAYAN. We have a lot of graduates in college every year. Lots of graduates and lots of money but no initiative.

AlexanderAmproz

Those Generals deserved to be hang by the feet and be bleed like pigs they are.

They learned to be pitiless and they are, a boomerang Karma law will be fair !

Marami jan sa government agencies and departments but to mention the AFP major service like the Army, Air Force, Navy as well as the Phil Marines rampant ang corruption….till to the marines SHAME ON US

AlexanderAmproz

Achieving the robbery or what ?
Angie kill himself to avoid any accountant
and give back his looting already under his family name or some Arroyo family secrets ?

Aren’t they PMAyers? I told my parents I don’t want to finish law in Harvard, just allow me to be a PMAyer. And what happened to DAANG MATUWID, under construction, like Edsa, na reroute? And what do you expect from the senatongs? They are busy counting their pamasko. And still economy was booming?